With eye on budget, new Clarkstown board votes to study Police Department operations

On Tuesday Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann announced that the town will be conducting a study on the Police Department’s spending and operations. According to officials the town is accepting proposals from outside consultants by February 24, to look into the $50 Police Department million budget, which, according to information compiled by the Journal News, provides police services to residents and paid officers an average salary of $166,719 with overtime for 2015.

The study is an attempt to lower taxes for residents as was to lower taxes for residents as was promised during Hoehmann’s campaign for election last year, and the contract with the Police Benevolent Association expires in December of this year, meaning a new agreement will be made. Hoehmann stated that the police services are exceptional, but it is owed to residents to determine if and where money can be saved.

Officials with both the police department and the PBA stated to the Journal News that they are willing to work with consultants during the study.